CATALYST CHICAGO :: Independent Reporting on Urban Schools

News & Analysis

Cover Stories Teaching kids to cope Students say social and emotional learning is the No. 1 area that CPS needs to improve. Research says it can boost academics. Now the district is poised to adopt a comprehensive strategy to teach life skills.
Updates Anyone want a turnaround? The city’s biggest charter school operator is gearing up to enter the school turnaround game, and the district is taking the first steps to coax more private managers into the mix.

OpinionsLetter From the Editor Getting in touch with the heart Teachers who are best at getting their students to perform better know there’s more to it than delivering content. Just ask Nikki Williams and Barry McRaith of North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School. Seniors in this teaching duo’s English course are required to write a personal essay every week, an exercise that certainly gives students’ fledgling writing muscles a regular workout. But these papers also serve another purpose: providing a glimpse into students’ minds and hearts so that teachers can understand what may be helping or hurting them in school.
-April, 2008

In Other News

One-stop shopping for returning dropouts Philadelphia Public School Notebook—Despite years of efforts to provide alternatives for out-of-school youth, Philadelphia still has no organized system for reconnecting dropouts who decide they are ready to complete their high school education. One of Lori Shorr’s priorities as Mayor Nutter’s new chief education officer is to work with District leadership to make sure that one is created. Already there are plans to establish a “re-engagement center” on the first floor of the central office. Full text -March, 2008

Class of 2011--a Catalyst Special Report

The District 299 Blog

By Alexander Russo
Change In How Bilingual Teachers Are Assigned
A friend of the site sent in this email from bilingual ed, which seems to be saying that AIOs will assign bilinguals rather than having them hired directly by schools. Is that right?...
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Denver Adopting Ren10 -- Sort Of
Folks in Denver are developing a new schools initiative based in part on the Chicago model, according to the Denver papers -- except the Denver plan includes a proposed new school from the teachers union. The wags at the Fordham Foundation have already dubbed the new plan, Denver 5280....
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Catalyst On The Air

Deputy Editor Lorraine Forte hosts the education edition of "City Voices" at 6:30 a.m. the second Sunday of every month on WNUA-FM, 95.5. To listen to previous broadcasts, click here.